Symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, overeating, and body mass index in men.
BACKGROUND
The high prevalence of obesity currently poses a global health crisis. Previous research has identified a novel link between obesity and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD(H)D). Davis, Levitan, Smith, Tweed and Curtis [Davis, C., Levitan, R. D., Smith, M., Tweed, S., & Curtis, C. (2006). Associations among overeating, overweight, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A structural equation modeling approach. Eating Behaviors, 7, 266-274] recently tested a structural equation model predicting that AD(H)D symptoms foster overeating and subsequently contribute to the variation in Body Mass Index (BMI) in a sample of healthy adult females. The data were an excellent fit to the model.


OBJECTIVE
In order to extend the generalizability of these findings, the present study tested the same model in 145 non-clinical adult males.


RESULTS
Similar to the findings in females, AD(H)D symptoms positively predicted overeating in males, which in turn positively predicted BMI.


CONCLUSIONS
Results highlight mechanisms whereby AD(H)D symptoms could influence body mass and stress the importance of addressing AD(H)D symptoms in both the prevention and treatment of overeating and obesity.
Strimas
Rachel
R
Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, 343 Bethune College, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M3J 1P3. rstrimas@psych.ryerson.ca
Davis
Caroline
C
Patte
Karen
K
Curtis
Claire
C
Reid
Caroline
C
McCool
Catherine
C
D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires